Transcript Highlights:

• He's a Saint Cloud-based guy. They partnered with another Minnesota company, Crash and Sues.
• He's a Saint<00:25:47.880><c> Cloud-based</c><00:25:48.480><c> guy.</c> Saint Cloud-based guy.
• Saint Cloud-based guy.

Committee: House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Summary: The Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee met to discuss worker misclassification, beginning with approval of the March 4, 2026 minutes and a note that a late-posted bill would not be heard at this time. Chair Pinto opened the hearing by framing misclassification as timely and invited Lea Takapu of the Attorney General’s office to explain the issue. Takapu described misclassification as labeling workers as independent contractors when they are really employees, which can deprive workers of minimum wage, overtime, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other protections while also reducing tax revenue. She said the Attorney General’s office and the MEAP partnership have been working on the issue and cited estimates that Minnesota workers lose billions annually and the state loses hundreds of millions to over a billion dollars in revenue, while noting that legitimate independent contracting is not the target. Members questioned how the committee could rely on estimates when the exact number of misclassified workers is unknown. Takapu responded that the figures were based on studies and complaint data, and that underground or undocumented work makes exact counts difficult. Chair Pinto noted the numbers were estimates and referenced a 2024 Legislative Auditor finding that Minnesota lacked an adequate, coordinated approach to proper worker classification, while saying progress had been made since then. Several industry witnesses then testified in support of stronger enforcement. Kevin Pranis of LiUNA said misclassification remains rampant in parts of construction, especially drywall, stucco, thin stone, and broadband installation, and argued it is tax, unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation fraud that harms law-abiding contractors and taxpayers. Matt Wollers of Braxton and Sons said his company loses bids to competitors that misclassify workers, creating a labor-cost advantage of 30% or more, and asked for meaningful enforcement rather than new legislation, including regular unannounced jobsite visits. Jesse Madison of Purple Tally Productions said misclassification is anti-competition and described examples from live events and entertainment, urging front-end checks on workers’ compensation, unemployment coverage, and W-2 versus 1099 status before work begins. The next testifier, Ben Ballou of the Minnesota Nurses Association, began his remarks as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud Fire Department, shortly thereafter they closed and they rolled those relief associations into
• Cloud<01:40:59.600><c> Fire</c><01:40:59.840><c> Department</c><01:41:00.239><c> was</c><01:41:00.480
• ><c> shortly</c> Cloud Fire Department was shortly Cloud Fire Department was shortly thereafter thereafter

Transcript Highlights:

• However, payroll growth has weakened, and trade policy uncertainty continues to cloud the economic outlook
• Also missing are consumer prices from October 2025. continues to cloud the economic outlook. continues
• to cloud the economic outlook.
• The missing data due to the shutdown clouds our picture of economic growth, corporate profits, inflation

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud office that works to help Minnesotans find affordable healthcare coverage.
• Cloud office that works to help Minnesotans find affordable healthcare coverage.
• Cloud office that works to help Minnesotans find affordable healthcare coverage.
• Cloud office that works to help Minnesotans find affordable healthcare coverage.

Committee: Senate Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• It's really unfortunate the way this issue has been clouded by that perspective.
• c><01:08:56.000><c> issue</c><01:08:56.319><c> has</c><01:08:56.640><c> been</c><01:08:57.199><c> clouded
• </c><01:08:57.679><c> by</c> the way this issue has been clouded by the way this issue has been clouded

Bills: SF0102 , SF0113

Committee: Senate Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions

Transcript Highlights:

• You clouded the issue.
• 08.319><c> at</c> think it's a question at think it's a question at &gt;&gt; you<01:07:10.960><c> clouded
• c> I</c><01:07:12.160><c> think</c><01:07:12.240><c> it's</c><01:07:12.400><c> a</c> &gt;&gt; you clouded
• I think it's a &gt;&gt; you clouded the issue.

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud as well as doubly improved service in the Twin Cities North Metro, where I was born and raised.
• </c><00:40:44.079><c> cloud</c><00:40:44.560><c> as</c> that could properly serve St. cloud as that could
• properly serve St. cloud as well<00:40:44.880><c> as</c><00:40:45.040><c> doubly</c><00:40:45.440><c

Committee: Senate Transportation

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud, at Bemidji State, and all of our campuses are going through reductions, and we're looking at possible
• </c><01:16:26.880><c> cloud</c><01:16:27.440><c> at</c> dramatically right now at St. cloud at dramatically
• right now at St. cloud at Bamiji<01:16:28.239><c> State</c><01:16:28.960><c> uh</c><01:16:29.280><c>

Committee: Senate Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud, where a trucker never tapped the brakes and ran into the back end of an Uber truck.
• </c><01:42:23.600><c> cloud</c> years, three years ago in St. cloud years, three years ago in St. cloud

Bills: HF1027 , HF2226 , HF1916 , HF1915 , HF1567 , HF1986

Committee: House Judiciary Finance and Civil Law

Keywords: mortgage foreclosure, redemption, foreclosure surplus, sheriff's sale, junior lienholder, mortgagor, homeowner protections, loss mitigation, dual tracking, foreclosure redemption period, certificate of redemption, certificate of sale, sheriff, county recorder, registrar of titles, homeownership center, lien priority, real property, foreclosure by advertisement, surplus funds

Transcript Highlights:

• Makoce, a Dakota phrase that can be loosely translated to where the waters reflect the clouds.
• translated to where the waters reflect translated to where the waters reflect the<00:02:09.560><c> clouds
• 11.319><c> Dakota</c><00:02:12.319><c> and</c><00:02:12.480><c> Ojiu</c><00:02:13.120><c> moan</c> the clouds
• While Dakota and Ojiu moan the clouds.

Committee: Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud, but I'm originally from northern Minnesota, where I come from a family of salt-of-the-earth miners
• I grew up in St.<00:19:44.240><c> cloud,</c><00:19:44.559><c> but</c><00:19:44.720><c> I'm</c><00:19:
• 44.960><c> originally</c><00:19:45.360><c> from</c> St. cloud, but I'm originally from St. cloud, but

Committee: Senate Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud State University. chair of Education policy that has also chair of Education policy that has also
• Philadelphia and an MA in limnology from Philadelphia and an MA in limnology from St<01:24:28.760><c> Cloud
• 24:30.400><c> I</c><01:24:30.520><c> worked</c><01:24:30.840><c> as</c><01:24:30.960><c> an</c> St Cloud
• State University I worked as an St Cloud State University I worked as an environmental<01:24:31.800>

Bills: HF1124 , HF1457 , HF1803

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I remember evacuating on a Saturday, and it was like a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky,
• ><00:37:55.240><c> a</c> it was like a beautiful day um not a it was like a beautiful day um not a cloud
• 37:56.560><c> but</c><00:37:56.839><c> the</c><00:37:57.599><c> cars</c><00:37:58.119><c> were</c> cloud
• in the sky but the cars were cloud in the sky but the cars were backed<00:37:58.839><c> up</c><00:37

Committee: House Public Safety Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud, Fergus, and Inver Grove Heights.
• Cloud, Fergus, and Inver Grove Heights.
• Cloud, Fergus, and Inver Grove Heights.
• Cloud, Fergus, and Inver Grove Heights.

Committee: Senate Housing and Homelessness Prevention

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud to anywhere you can think about.
• Cloud, or a student in Paynesville are learning in the same way.
• they would like for you all to consider not repealing the authority to implement the standards. in St Cloud
• a student in Paynesville um in St Cloud a student in Paynesville um are<01:29:46.280><c> learning</c

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• Cloud, Rochester.
• /c><00:18:36.200><c> erskin</c><00:18:37.200><c> duth</c><00:18:38.039><c> St</c><00:18:38.400><c> Cloud
• </c> we went to erskin duth St Cloud we went to erskin duth St Cloud rodchester<00:18:41.440><c> unanimously

Committee: House Education Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• So computers and electronics are on the top of that list on both sides, and that is in billions, not
• So computers and electronics are on the top of that list on both sides, and that is in billions, not
• The computer and electronic products make sense. Thank you.
• This slide right here, the computer and electronic products make sense, but the transportation equipment—I

Committee: House House International Trade Committee of Reference

Summary: The Committee on International Trade heard a presentation from Monica Villalobos, president and CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who shared trade and economic data on Hispanic businesses and consumers in Arizona and nationally. She emphasized that Hispanics represent a major economic force, that small and medium-sized businesses are key exporters, and that tariffs or border disruptions can significantly affect Arizona businesses. She also highlighted Arizona’s trade relationship with Mexico, major import/export sectors such as computers, electronics, transportation, and machinery, and the need for more state support for small businesses through capital access and technical assistance. Villalobos noted the Chamber’s upcoming business engagement tour to Mexico City and said the organization would provide district-specific trade profiles to legislators. Members asked questions about top Mexico trade products, transportation equipment, and how the state could better support small businesses. Villalobos said major Mexico-related trade areas include automotive electronics, transportation, and service-oriented business opportunities, and she pointed to the need for microloan access and funding for technical assistance programs that have lost federal support. She also offered to share additional data and connect members with experts on transportation infrastructure and trade. The committee then considered HB 2754, which would add the chairs of the Senate Finance Committee and House International Trade Committee, or designees, to the Arizona Commerce Authority board; shift trade office oversight and the Arizona Competes program to legislative appropriation; require annual reporting on trade office activities; and remove the Competes program’s termination date. The bill sponsor argued the legislature should have more direct oversight of trade offices and the Competes Fund. After discussion, the committee voted 5-0 with 2 present and 3 absent to give HB 2754 a do pass recommendation, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• and computer systems and our ability to store uh information like and we run everything through the
• I think it had a lot to do with the fact that uh before computers and computer systems and our ability
• lot to do with the fact that<00:26:49.039><c> uh</c><00:26:50.080><c> before</c><00:26:51.520><c> computers
• </c><00:26:52.240><c> and</c><00:26:52.720><c> computer</c> that uh before computers and computer that
• uh before computers and computer systems<00:26:53.760><c> and</c><00:26:54.159><c> our</c><00:26:54.559

Committee: House State Government

Transcript Highlights:

• As of July 1, it only applies to the purchase of new computer servers and power infrastructure equipment
• subset of 13 states and found that most other states used a sales and use tax exemption targeting computer
• The industry standard is to replace computer server equipment every three to five years, so it's likely
• Yeah, our understanding is the industry standard is to replace computer server equipment every three
• That's the computer service specifically. The computers. Yes, the servers. Right.

Summary: The committee met on July 15, 2026, but began without a quorum, so it could not adopt the previous minutes. Chair Jerry Pollett welcomed new member Senator Victoria Hunt and introduced new JLARC staff. The committee then heard a preliminary JLARC performance audit of DCYF’s Juvenile Rehabilitation programs. Auditors said overcrowding, staffing shortages, weak training, unreliable risk assessments, and uneven program access combine to create unsafe conditions and limit rehabilitation. They reported that about 74% of youth are in two large secure facilities, incidents rise as population rises, 47% of frontline staff leave within a year, current assessments are not valid for the population, and program offerings are tied more to facility location than individual need. JLARC made eight recommendations, including one to the legislature to address crowding and seven to DCYF on retention, training, incident procedures, validated assessments, program alignment, individualized programming, and better data. DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter agreed overcrowding is a major problem, said the agency would respond in detail later, and noted the department needs legislative help on staffing, pay, education, and program funding. Senators and representatives asked about JR-25, training adequacy, assessment validation, contraband, education access, and possible retaliation concerns, and JLARC staff and DCYF answered that the issues are interrelated and that a fuller agency response would come later. The committee next heard JLARC’s preliminary audit of Labor and Industries’ enforcement of farm worker labor laws. JLARC concluded that L&I generally meets timelines for health and safety inspections but not for wage-and-hour or retaliation complaints, largely because complaint volume exceeds staff capacity and delays occur before assignment to investigators. Auditors said recent agency changes and 2026 legislation may help, including added staff, screening processes, workload reorganization, the ability to prioritize complaints, a later start date for the 60-day wage complaint clock, and authority to expand some investigations to similarly affected workers. JLARC recommended that L&I report back in December 2026 and December 2027 on backlog reduction and implementation of the new law. L&I’s deputy policy director said the agency appreciates the report, is hiring additional investigators, and expects the new laws to substantially change how wage complaints are handled. Members asked for clarification on what counts as a wage complaint, the share of farm worker complaints, and how the new authority will work. JLARC then provided an update on the Department of Health’s strategic management plan for hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff summarized prior recommendations and noted that House Bill 2577 clarified hospital inspection timing. DOH officials described a detailed plan with measurable milestones for improving inspection compliance, verifying accreditation standards, expanding complaint forms into more languages, addressing language-access barriers, and seeking long-term funding for adverse event reporting and financial data reporting. DOH said acute care inspection compliance had risen from 28% to 61% and projected further increases through 2028, while also working on staffing, a new licensing system, and public reporting tools. Committee members praised the specificity of the plan but raised concerns about the long timeline for language access and whether hospitals should do more outreach as part of their community health assessments. After lunch, the committee began the 2026 tax preference performance reviews preliminary report. JLARC staff introduced the first three reviews, starting with the Main Street tax credit and program. Auditors said the preference appears to have met the legislature’s broad goal of increasing Main Street communities and businesses overall, though results vary by community. They reported that Main Street communities grew from 9 in 2005 to 40 in 2025, business counts in those communities rose overall, and donations and tax credits have remained high, with many local businesses donating to support their own downtowns. The committee then moved into the rest of the tax preference review presentation, with additional reports to follow later in the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• That example, right, two decades old or a decade old, involved a relatively simple computational model
• Third, powerful advances in computation expand what private companies can glean from these troves of
• This is an image of a Zebra mobile computer.
• This is an image of a zebra mobile computer.
• It also has powerful computational techniques that it uses to mine that information.

Summary: The Assembly Privacy and Consumer Protection Committee held an informational hearing on California privacy in the age of mass surveillance, with members framing the issue as urgent in light of AI, data brokers, workplace monitoring, and government access to commercially collected data. Opening remarks emphasized California’s long-standing privacy tradition and concern for impacts on Latino, immigrant, LGBTQ+, and other vulnerable communities. The committee heard from experts from UC Law San Francisco, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Davis, and a worker-organizer from Amazon, followed by a journalist from 404 Media. Nicole Ozer reviewed the history of California’s constitutional right to privacy, tracing it to the 1972 ballot measure and arguing that lawmakers should use that right more fully to operationalize stronger protections against surveillance. Deirdre Mulligan described how surveillance capitalism has expanded through physical-world instrumentation, biometrics, connected devices, and AI, and argued that notice-and-consent models are inadequate because people cannot meaningfully understand or control how data is collected, inferred, shared, and used. Ari Waldman focused on disparate harms to marginalized communities, including queer people, survivors of domestic violence, and people seeking reproductive care, and called for stronger regulation, limits on data collection and sharing, and greater accountability for companies and government access to data. Josh Black testified about Amazon’s workplace surveillance, including handheld devices, time-off-task monitoring, hidden cameras, and driver-facing AI cameras, saying the system pressures workers to skip breaks, rush safety training, and discourages organizing. He said the surveillance is used to increase productivity and suppress union activity. Committee members asked about data retention, injury reporting, cash as a privacy-protective payment option, and whether workers truly consent to surveillance as a condition of employment. Jason Kebler described how police departments adopt commercial surveillance tools through pilot programs and vendor relationships, often without public debate, citing license plate readers and networked camera systems that can spread data across jurisdictions. No votes were taken; the hearing was informational and ended with discussion of the need for clearer definitions, stronger enforcement, and continued legislative action.